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R V Venkiteswaran (Venky)

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Sunday, April 9, 2023

LIST OF FINAL RITES - KARTHA (Sanathana Hindu Sutra)

 Om Namasivaya Nama:


Om Gam Ganapathaye Nama

 

KARTHA - THE RESPONSIBLE PERSON FOR CONDUCTING FINAL RITES OF A DECEASED – As per “Smruthi Mukthaphalam” and “Vaidhyanatha Dhikshitheeyam”.

 

According to learned scholars and practicing Purohithas, there are 32 family members by priority is allowed to conduct the final rights Kriya for the deceased. According to Veda sastras, the person who conducts this Apara Kriya is eligible for obtaining the rewards of conducting 100 Aswamedha Yaagam, because assisting the helpless Jeevathma to ascend to a celestial world is the biggest ever duty one can do. In the absence of nonperformance of final rites, the Jeevathma will simply float around in the atmosphere without getting the chance to join another body.  The period of conducting this Kriya is vary from each school of discipline that follows different Vedas, Sutras, Region, Religion, Samskaram, and sub-sect, etc., however, everyone does something that helps the helpless Aathma to attain Paralok or next birth. Some sect of people does not believe in doing any of these Kriyas because they believe that the Jeevathma has no expiry and it leaves one body and enters another. Therefore, no need to do any of these prescribed Apara-Kriyas. However, the majority believes in conducting final rites followed by remembering them and offering food as a part of life. People feed other living beings on their behalf/name (In fact this is what is called Srardh to ancestors by Vedas).

Many types of Puthras/Sons (children) are mentioned in the Sastras as well as we can see in our daily life too. The priority among Puthras is Aurasa Puthran. Puthran means Aathmajan (father becoming son through women/wife) who rescues parent’s Aathma from Naraklok called “Puth” therefore he is called Puthran. This Aurasa Puthran is defined in 5 ways.

1.  AURASA PUTHRAN (Deceased Eldest Son born to a legitimate first wife out of his own Bheeja/Semen/Garbhadhaan).    

a.       The Eldest Son.

b.       If they were twine, then the firstborn.

c.       If the deceased had many wives and all of them had children, then the senior most Son. 

d.       If the deceased had adopted a child (Dhathu Puthran) as a senior son, but later own wife give birth to an Aurasa Puthran then the Aurasa Puthran will become the first Kartha.

e.       If the deceased had two wives and the Child adoption procedures (Vaideega Sweekaaram) were conducted through the first wife and later the 2nd wife gave birth to a son, then this Aurasa Puthran is Kartha to father, 2nd wife as well as the first wife.

2    


In my opinion, I would add the following members too. Taking into consideration of current lifestyle affairs it is imperative to look for alternatives. At the end of the day, no SMRUTHI is permanent. It can be changed according to time, space, and region.  A lot of senior citizens are enrolled in old age homes or orphanage homes and many children will not even look back to their parent's statuesque. In such cases, of course, SAKHA is allowed to take care, yet some more options will give peace of mind to the deprived families.

1.  Besides the final rites (Part One), after the Sanjayanam (immersing bones and ashes into holy rivers or sea) (Part Two) the Jeevathma’s expectations increase many folds. Therefore, the next 12 days are crucial (Actually it is up to 354 days i.e., 29.5 lunar days x 12 months). At least a pot of water and Anna Pinda must be provided to them with a Sankalp (resolution/determination).

 

Om Swaha-Swadha-Dakshina Devyai Nama:

Sarvam Brahmaarpanamasthu

Compiled by R. V. Venkiteswaran (Venky) – April 2023

www.parasakthifamily.org / www.venky50.blogspot.com

YouTube: Parasakthifamily

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